Bottom hole regulator and choke in combination



July 4, 1944.

A. BOYNTON BOTTOM HOLE REGULATOR AND CHOKE IN comszmmou i-iled'se t. 17, 1,941

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ALEXANDER BOYN ro/v,

INVENTOR,

A TTO NEYS.

July 4,1944. A. BOYN'i'ON' 2,352,612

BOTTOM HOLE REGULATOR AND CHOKE IN COMBINATION Arr R/VEYS.

A. BOYNTON July 4, 1944.

BOTTOM HOLE REGULATOR AND CHOKE IN COMBINATION 7 Filed Sept. 17, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet-4 ALEXANDER aor/vro/v, [AWE/V706,

Fig. 21.

ATTORNEYS:

- July4, 1944.

BOTTOM HOLE REGULATOR AND CHOKE IN COMBINATION Patented July 4, 1944 UNITED STATES. PATE T OFFICE,

' BOTTOM HOLE REGULATOR. AND CHOKE IN COMBINATION Alexander Boynto n, San Antonio, Tex.

. Application September 17,1941, Serial No. 411,254

9 Claims.

My invention relates to bottom hole pressure regulators and bottom hole chokes in combina-. tion, anchoring means for securing the combination or a choke alone in Wells, and catching and releasing tools in combination with such regu choke together, and to remove the choke, when used alone, by means the well.

vAnother object is to remove the anchoring operative from the top of base and reset it at any other desired place or .replace it with another by means operative from the'top of the well.

A further object is to effect either of saidpurposes by the use of tools which may be lowered into the well upon either a cable, rods or tubing.

Due to the higher temperatures usually prea chokealone, as the case ay attached o a tool which releases the regulator and choke in combination, or the choke, as the case may be, as soon as the same is connected to the base.

3. To remove the regulator and choke, combined or the choke, if it alone is installed, I lower a catching and releasing tool which fastens to the regulator and choke assembly or to the choke while the tool, at the same time, causes the regulator and/r choke to turn loose the hold which previously secured it to the anchoring base.

'4. I then lower another regulator and choke assembly or either separately and fasten it to the previously anchored base by means of said catchvailing in the lower regions of deep wells, the

bottom hole regulator and choke largely overcome the freezing temperatures frequently resulting from regulating and choking high pressure gas at the ground surface. I

In this specification, 'it willbe assumed that a cable will be employed for running all tools into the well and removing them therefrom, with the understanding that rods or tubing may be substituted therefor at will. It will also be assumed that the anchoring base and'regulator and/or choke will be set in the tubing although the same operation can be performed in the casing or in a blank liner with equal facility.

I accomplish the foregoing objects as follows:

1. I lower an anchoring base, adapted to have a bottom hole regulator and choke in combine... tion or either a bottom hole regulator or choke removably attachedto it, bymeans of a cable attached to a latch which latch is releasably attached tothe regulator choke assembly, Or. the choke as the case may be. The anchoring base being lowered to the proper depth, I drop a weight overthe cable, causinganimpact which disengages the latch from the ,base'which then automatically expands and secures itself in the tubing proximate the place where it was released. .2. The anchoring base being set in the tubing,

1. lower aregulatorand choke in combination, or.

ing and releasing tool which, at the same time. releases the newly set regulator and choke, or the choke, when used alone.

-5. To remove the anchoring base after the reg ulator and/or choke have been removed, I lower another form of latching tool combinedwith a catching-and releasing tool of the kind employed to set or reset the combined regulator and choke, and fasten them to the base with the help of a weight; whereupon the base may be withdrawn by the combination tool.

The foregoing objects are attained in the manner above stated by mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the anchoring shell setting tool, also showing the fingers and the upper portion of the shell.

Fig. 2, a continuation of Fig. 1, is a longitudinal section through the lower portion of the anchoring shell assembly.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig.4 is a cross section on the line 4--4, Fig. 1.

Fig.5 is a cross section on the line "5+5, Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a cross section on theline 86, Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a cross section on the line 1-1, Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is mainly a longitudinal section with portions broken away showing the anchoring shell in place with the combination pressure regulator and choke assembly approaching the anchoring shell or being withdrawn therefrom.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the complete pressure regulator and part of the choke in place. I

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section completing the assembly in Fig. 9 and showing the anchoring shell in place. i v I.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the modified latching tool assembly in combination with a portion of the catching and releasing tool, also showing the upper portion of the anchoring shell assembly in position to be disengag'edfrom the tubing by the latching shell and to be' engaged by the, catching and releasing tool for removal from the well.

i Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section continuing Fig. 11 and showing the lower portion of the anchoring shell assembly and of the catching and releasing tool.

Fig. 13 is a cross section on. the line I3I3,

Fig. 18 is a cross section on the line I8-I8, Fig. 12. V

Fig. 19 is a cross section on the line I9I9, Fig. 12.

Fig. 20 is a cross section on the line 20-48, Fig. 12.

Fig. 21 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of pressure regulator, differing from that shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 22 is a cross section on the line 22--22, Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a cross section on the line 23-23, Fig. 21.

Fig. 24 is a cross section on the line "-24, Figs. 9 and 21.

Fig. 25 is a cross section on the line 25-25, Figs. 9 and 21.

Fig. 26 is a cross section on the line 2828, Figs. 9 and 21.

Fig. 27 is a longitudinal section through the upper portion of the-choke, separate from the regulator, being placed in the well just before it is anchored in the anchoring shell.

Fig. 28 is a longitudinal section continuing downward from the mechanism partially shown (6) The catching and releasing devices consist- 10 and the choke nipple alone as in Figs. 28 and 30.

These units and operations will be described separately for cleamess.

The anchoring shell assembly The purpose of this assembly is to provide an anchoring foundation which may be secured between the ends of the tubing wherever it may be desired to position the pressure regulator and/or choke.

with special reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a plurality of dog fingers I, are hinged upon the anchoring shell 3 by the rivets 2, adapted to be received through the openings In, Fig. 17, and the aligning openings 30 through the upstanding arms 3a of the base 3, Fig. 15. Each of these fingers has a curved shoulder Ie adapted to engage upon the upper arched surface 3a of the base-3, and to rock radially thereon simultaneously with the hinging movement of the fingers upon the rivets 2, Fig. 16. Each finger has a depending extension I) freely received within the slots 3b of the shell 3. These slots are of such depth as to permit the fingers I to rock outwardly so that the dogs Ia may assume the expanded position shownin Figs. 8, 10, 11, and 28. The coiled spring 4 is freely received within the notches 19, Fig. 17. The recess 3d, Figs. 15 and 16, provides room for the expansion and con traction of this spring which is normally of such internal diameter and force as to urge the upper ends of the fingers I to their expanded position between the adjacent tubing ends and-the lower extensions I! of the fingers to their innermost in Fig. 27 and showing the upper portion of the position within the slots 3b.

' anchoring shell.

Fig. 29 is a cross section on the line 29-29,

Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a longitudinal section continuing downward from the mechanism partially shown in Fig. 28, completing the assembly partially shown in Figs. 27 and 28.

(1) The anchoring shell assembly, consisting of the parts I through H (see Figs. 1, 2, 8, 10, ll, 12, 28 and 30). i

(2) The anchoring shell placing tool consisting of the parts l2 to Ila, both inclusive (see Figs. 1 and 11) (3) The anchoring shell and placing tool in combination consisting of the parts I through IIa(seeFigs.land2).

(4) The pressure regulator and choke assembly in place, consisting of parts I8 to 417', both v inclusive (see Figs. 9 and 10) (5) The pressure regulator, modified form, Fig.

, 21, consisting of new parts, ISA, IlAa, 28A, 28Aa, 36A, 39A, 50, SI, 52, and 53. This regulator, not claimed herein, is claimed in my copending application Each finger has a shoulder Ic, formed by the notch I1, adapted .to be engaged over a mating shoulder I2a oi the latching shell I2 when the fingers I are forced inward, as appears in Fig. l.

The lower tubular extension 3e of the shell 3 has a guide lug 5 which may be secured in place by the weld 5a and has also two oppositely posi- HD1263! iglllllol' securing lugs 6 which may be secur pace y the welds is, as a Figs. 2, 8, I0, 12, and 30. ppem m The ring I, freely slidable within the lower tubular extension 3! of the shell 3, is normally urged upon the annular shoulder 3h by the expansive force of the coiled spring I, having slight clearance within the tubular portion 3]. The lower end of this spring is engaged upon the upper end togviialliliinnipple 9 which has threaded engagemen the lower end 0 th 3f of the shell 3. I 6 portion The expansible rubber sleeve I0, having annular peripheral enlargements Ila closely slidable within the tubing a, has its upper and lower ends received within the retainer flanges 3g and M, respectively, of the shell 3 and the nipple 9. The enlargements We are for the purpose of obstructing the upward passage of fiuid seeking to pass between the tubing a and the sleeve II; thereby causing the force of such fluid to act through the openings 9b to expand the sleeve II Serial No. 408,521, filed August 27, 19.41. and cause it to seal tightly upon the tubing a,

2,352,812 The U cups, or otherpacking II and II, are.

The placing tool for the anchoring shell The latching shell I2, Fig. 1, having the an-- nular internal shoulder I2a adapted to be engaged under th mating shoulders I c of the dog fingers, is shown with threaded connection to the cable attachment member I3, the cable It bein secured within the upper portion thereof by babbitt I4a.

The releasing shell I5, having clearance over the members I3 and I2, has its lower extension I5a adapted to be engaged upon the dogs Ia of the fingers I. The internal annular shoulder I5!) is adapted to land upon the shoulder I2c of the shell I2.

The tubular weight I6, which may be of any desired length, is adapted to be dropped over the cable It. The guide bushings H are slotted as at Ma, Fig. 13, in order that they may be positioned conveniently over the cable and screwed into the ends of the weight member. Mani- Iestly, the slots Ila should be positioned so as to be out of alignment with each other as shown 2 when the guide bushings are in place.

It will be observed that the central opening through the weight member I6 is of somewhat greater diameter than that of the member I3, in order to permit the weight to be placed or removed over the lower end of the cable.

The anchoring shell and placing tool in combination this operation, the spring ring 4 will be expanded and tend to secure this engagement.

It will be observed that the shoulders lo and I2a are tapered at mating obtuse angles so that the engagement formed as in Fig. 1 may be disconnected by a force tending to'drive apart the members land I2.

The assembly being formed as in Figs. 1 and 2, the same is lowered to the desired place in the tubing a, less the weight I6. This weight is dropped then to impact the releasing shell I5 which has its lower end resting upon the dogs la. The force of this impact disconnects the latched engagement between the members I and I2. The contracting force of the coiled spring ring 4 causes the fingers Ito rock inwardly at their lower extremities and outwardly at their upper extremities, the rocking movement taking place upon the rivets 2. The dogs Ia then strong- 'ly engage the tubing a, but the weight of the anchoring shell assembly causes it to fall until the dogs Ia reach an opening c within a coupling b, connecting the joints. of tubing. The dogs Ia then expand instantlyand contact the lower joint of tubing at e (see Fig. 28). The

running-in tool is then withdrawn, the shoul-' der I5?) of the releasing shell now contacting the shoulder I2c of the latching shell and the weight I6 riding out of the well upon the-upper end of the shell I5.

While the assemblies of the anchoring shell and the placing tool are being lowered, their downward movement would be retarded, due to the fact that the expanded lower end I5a of the shell I5 has only slight clearance within the tubing, if it were not for the lateral openings. I2b and.,l5c. These openings permit upward escape of the fluid from below said assemblies into the tubing above.

The pressure regulator and/or choke assemblyis now ready to be lowered into the tubing, but first this ass embly willbe described.

The pressure regulator assembly The regulator element of this assembly is a modification of and an improvement upon my Patent No. 2,007,363. I

The catching and releasing tool element of the assembly is a modification of and an improvement upon the construction shown in my Patent No. 2,250,463.-

Referring particularly to Figs. 9 and 10, the metallic bellows I8 has its upper end hermetically closed by the connection member I9 and the solder or weld 20. The lower end of the bellows is hermetically sealed by the connection member 2I andthe solder or weld 22.

Within the bellows, the guide tube 23 has slight clearance. The upper end of this tube is shown pressed over the lower central extension of the member I9 to which it may be secured by the welds 23a.

The lower end of thetube 23 has a free sliding clearance over the spring base 24 and has similar clearance within the 2|.

The coiled spring 35, having slight clearance 'within the tube 23, has its ends engaged between the members I9 and 2t.

The base connection 25 has threaded connection within the member 2I to which it is further secured. by the weld 21, the packing 25 being employed to keep -the connection hermetic until the weld 21 'can be made in the process of assembling. The .lower end of theplug25 has threaded engagementwithin the semi-cylindrical uprights 28a of the base member 28 (see Figs. 25 and 26).

, The valve connection 29a (see 26) is in the form of acrossbar having its ends secured within the lower end of the drivesleeve 34 by the welds 2%. This crossbar travels in the slot 28b (see Figs.25and2 6). r The valve 29, having threaded connection within the'central enlargement of the member 29a (see Fig. 26) is adapted to close upon the valve seat 39a of the member 30 having threaded connection within the lower tubular portion of the member 28.

' The packing 3| is urged upon the member 30 by the gland ring 32 by force of the threaded engagement of the gland driver-ring 33 within the member 28, the evident purpose of the packing 3| being to prevent leakage of fluid alon the threads of the member 30 when thevalve 29 is seated in a manner that will be explained later.

The drive sleeve 34 may have its upper end pressed over the member 36 to which it maybe further secured by the welds 34a.

The rod 31, having its lower end threadedly eonnection member of the connection, having slight clearance within the tubing a, serves as guides to position the bellows assembly central of the tubing. The wing nut 39, having threaded engagement with the rod 31, has wings 39a adapted to engage and compress the spring. 38.

Preferably, the bellows is filled partially with a liquid such as glycerine. The top of this liquid is indicated at Ma. The space above the liquid in the bellows is an air pocket of such length that the bellows will not become permanently deformed if exposed to great external pressure such as would compress this air pocket to a negligible length. The end clearance 250 between the lower end of the guide pipe 23 and the member 25 is of such length as will allow the bellows to be so compressed without the members 23 and 25 becoming impinged upon each other when the valve 29 is seated upon the member 30. The 10 tudinal opening 240 and the lateral openings 4b of the member 24 and the lateral openings 23!) of the guide pipe 23 provide that the liquid within the bellows will circulate freely to accommodate its displacement as the hollows responds in length to external pressure.

Attention is directed to the fact that metallic bellows made of strong, corrosive-resistant materials, such as Monel metal and stainless steel, is now available. Such bellows will withstand great internal and external pressures, but this construction prevents the bellows from being damaged by external pressure, regardless of how great such pressure may be, because the internal pressure is always equal to the external pressure, except for the expansive force of the bellows and the springs 35 and 38. To illustrate this fact, it will be assumed that the bellows and springs require 100 pounds per square inch to compress them far enough to seat the valve 29 upon its seat 300, and that an additional 50 pounds per square inch would be required to compress the bellows and springs an additional one-half inch (both of these assumptions disregarding the air pocket within the bellows). It will be further assumed that the bellows is exposed to an external pressure ;of 10,000 pounds per square inch (the air pocket being now taken into account). The internal pressure exerted by the bellows upon the air pocket above the liquid level Ila therefore, will be 9,850 pounds per square inch when the bellows and springs are compressed the additional one-half inch by the 10,000 pounds external pressure. It results that 150 pounds per square inch is the total net force which will be exerted by such external pressure upon the bellows.

With reference to the foregoing illustration, it will be observed that the bellows might become damaged by such excessive external pressure as 10,000 pounds per square inch if it were not for the spring 38 which continues to be compressed and in so doing permits the bellows to continue compressing and compressing the air pocket within it after the valve 28 seats. This safety feature being placed in the well and removed therefrom, as will be explained now.- a

The choke nipple I, having a close sliding fit within the tubular portion 3e of the anchoring shell 3, is threadedly joined within the lower end of the member 23. The catching and releasing stem 41 has threaded connection with the nipple 48 (see Fig. 10)

The downwardly facing. U cups or packing H and II housed within recesses interior of the portion 3e of the shell I closely engage the nipple 16 in order to provide hermetic engagement.

The pressure regulator assembly is anchored and held in place by the engagement of the anchoring lands "e engaging under the lugs 8.

Gas pressure below the assembled shell, regulator, and choke now raises th dogs la away from.

12), so that the greater the lifting force exerted by the gas under the assembly. the greater will be the outward drive of the dogs to more securely anchor the assembly.

The upper shell 42 (Fig. 9), housing the coiled spring 4| supported by the base ring 40 threadedly engaged within the connection base 36, and the ring 43 slidable within the shell, are means for securely attaching the catching and releasing tool "A, (Fig. 8), which is guided into the shell 42 by the bevels 42a. This tool co-acts with the lugs 44 and 45, secured within the shell 42 by the welds a and 450, as will be explained later.

In operation, the gas pressure acting through the openings 9b quickly expands the yieldable sleeve II, which may be of rubber or other tough packing substance, against the tubing a. The rubber sleeve ill will be expanded against the tubing 0 because the annular projections l0a impair the clearance between the member I3 and the tubing, while the openings lk, between the fingers I (Figs. 3, 5, and 14), provide ample draft to cause the gas pressure to act upon the interior surface of the sleeve Ill and expand it as stated. ,The U cups II and II, at the same time, prevent any escape of gals between the members 3 and 46. Therefore, the only open path for the gas is through the inlet slots 41h, the opening "1, and the choke passage 46a providing that the gas may contact the bellows l8 via the central opening through the members 33 and 30 and the clearance of the members 25 and 2| with the sleeve 34.

It will be noted that the choke passage to is of somewhat smaller diameter than that of the opening "1'. This difference in diameters is to prevent the more expensive to manufacture catching and releasing stem 41 from being cut or abraded by sand sometimes present in well fluids.

The pressure responsive bellows is compressed by the fluid pressure contacting its exterior surface, causing the valve 29 to close upon its seat 30a at a predetermined value of the fluid pressure. It is evident that this valve will re-open when the pressure upon the bellows decreases sufllciently. In this manner, the regulator will maintain a predetermined constant pressure constitutes the princip l tive improvement within the tubingabove the valve 2!.

herein over my said Patent No. 2,007,363.

Apart from the pressure regulator proper, certain other parts are employed below it for anchoring purposes and certain other parts are employed It will be noted that the bellows is anchored at its lower end upon the member 2|, while its upper end is secured to the member I9 which in turn is yieldably joined to the member 3 by above the regulator for the purpose of enabling its means of the spring 33, the rod 31, and the wing nut 39. All movements of the bellows, therefore, are communicated to the drive sleeve 34, which, in turn, transmits these movements to the valve 29. Y

The regulator may be adjusted so that its valve 29 will close on the seat 390 at higher or lower pressures contacting the le'xterior of the bellows by screwing the valve seat member 30 upward or downward. Screwing it downward lengthens the valve travel and consequently increases the distance that the bellows and springs must be compressed before the'valve will seat. This, as is apparent, increases the pressure required to seat the valve. Screwing the member 30 upward, of course, will lessen the pressure at which the regulator will close its valve.

Lengthening the air pocket above the liquid level l8a will lessen the closing pressure of the valve at any given valve travel adjustment, and vice versa., because the longer this air pocket, the less will be the internal resistance offered by it to compression of the bellows any given distance, and vice versa.

The pressure regulator, modified form the unit 41A has a shank threadedly joined to the member l3, as appears in Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 may be employed to describe the regulator and choke assembly in the act of being anchored in the tubing or of being removed therefrom.

allow the round part of. the lower unit stem 41 to pass them with'slight clearance. The slots 41d are of such width as to allow the lugs 5 and 6 to be passed. The slots 41a and 41a of the stem 41 are narrower than the slots 41d but wide The modified form of pressure regulator illustrated in Fig. 21 Has a yieldable valve seat member 50 supported by the coiled spring 5|. The compression force of this spring may be adjusted by the ring 52 having threaded engagement within the member 28A. The adjustment may be secured by the lock ring 53. The internal annular shoulder 28Aa serves to limit the upward travel of the member 50.

The member ISA, having an extension ISAa threadedly engaged within the member 36A, provides for adjusting the regulator for different pressures by controlling the distance between the valve 29 and its seat 30a. The nut 39A may be employed to secure the adjustment.

After the bellows has been sufliciently compressed to engage the valve 29. upon the seat 30a, if great pressure should contact the bellows it will continue to shorten and compress the spring 5| until the air pocket above the liquid level I8a will become sufficiently compressed to arrest further compression of the bellows, as was explained in connection with Fig. 9.

Otherwise than stated, this modified form is entirely similar to the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 9.

The pressure regulator, construction, operation, and anchoring means having been described, the manner of anchoring the regulator and/or choke in the tubing and of removing same therefrom will be discussed now by describing the operation of the catching and releasing tool.

The catching and releasing units The catching and releasing devices are somewhat similar to the cable pull overshot shown in my said Patent No. 2,250,463.

These devices are in two similar units; the

between these units. The upper unit appearing in Figs. 8, 11, 12 and 27 is solid and has no central opening such as 419' in Fig. 10. The other difference is that the unit 41 is threadedly joined to the choke nipple 46 as appears in Fig. 10; whereas enough to permit the guide lug 5 to be passed. These slots, however, are narrower than the lugs 6. The lug 5 isdirectly' above one of, the lugs 8 and has its upper surface rounded or sharpened so that the wedge-shaped surfaces 41] will not become lodged upon it. The slots 41a and 41a are out of alignment with each other. in such manner that the lands 41b are centrally over the slots 41a and the lands 411; are centrally under the slots 410. Thereare four evenly spaced lands 41b and four lands 41b with the same number of evenly spaced slots 41a and 41a, al-

though the number of these lands and slots may ever, only two evenly spaced lands 41c and two,

evenly spaced slots "(1, as will appear more clearly from an examination of Figs. 8, 10, and 30.

Figures 8, upper part, and 27, show the stem of the tool 41A for inserting and removing a pressure-controlling device, and Fig, 12 the corresponding part of a tool for removing the anchoring assembly, both of which show lands and slots identical. with those of the stem 41 and bearing the reference characters 41Aa, "Ab, "Ac, 41Aa' 4IAb', and 41Ac', respectively, in Figs. 8 and 27. Likewise, the slots 41M, the lugs 41Ae and the wedge-shaped lower ends 41a in Figures 8, 12, and 27 correspond in construction and purpose to the configurations 41d, 41c, and 41f in Figs. 8 and 10. The units 41 and 41A, however, are distinctdevices serving related but different purposes, as will appear. The regulator and choke assembly being lowered further, the wedge-shaped ends 41 of the stem 41 will guide the lands 41a to pass the lug 5- via one of the slots 41d and continuing the lands 41b will pass the lug ,5. One of theslopin'g ends 410 then contacts the lug 5 which contact causes the stem 41 to rotate slightly impelling one of the sloping ends 41c to guide the lands 41b to receive the lug 5 in one of the slots 41a. The wedge-shaped ends 41) in the meantime contact the spring rider ring I and force it downward, compressing the spring 8 (see Fig. 10).

The lower ends of the lands 47b will land then upon the lugs 6. In the meantime, the lower lands 4'IAe of the tool 41A have contacted the spring rider ring 43 and forced it downward, compressing the spring 4! having slight clearance within the nipple 42, until the lands 4'lAb' rest upon the lugs 44 secured within the shell 42 by the welds 44a. The-slots "Au and 41Aa' of the tool 4'IA being wide enough to pass the lug 45 are narrow enough to cause the lands 41Ab' to be stopped by the lugs 44. In this operation, the guide lug 45, secured within the shell 42 by the welds 45a, serves the same pur pose as the lug of the stem 41. The spring base 40, Fig. 9, serves to support the spring 4| and to provide means for regulating its compression force, as is apparent.

After being landed as stated, the assembly is raised then by the cable I4 and the expansive force of the springs 8 and H during which operation one of the sloping surfaces 41c will contact the guide l 5 and further rotate the member 41 in the same direction as before until the ing 5 will be received in one of the slots 41a. The upper ends of the lands 41c will be then directly under the lugs G as in Fig. 10.

The catching and releasing tool "A, in the meantime, has been executing similar movements to those described forthe lower stem 41,

except that the movements of the tool "A were one step ahead of the movements of the lower stem 41. This is true because the tool "A was assembled with the shell 42 for lowering into the well with its lands 41Ae engaged under the lugs 44, while the similar engagement of the lands 4'Ie under the lugs 6 will not occur until after the stem 41 has been set down upon the ring 'I and has compressed the spring 8 and thereafter has been raised. In this manner the upper tool "A will become disengaged from the lugs 44 by similar movements caused by the slots "Au, 4IAa', and "Ad, the lands "Ab, HM), and "Ac, the wedge-s aped lower ends 41A}, and by the lugs44 and 45, while the lower assembly 41 is having its lands 41c en aged under the lugs 6. The upper assembly "A is free now to be withdrawn from the well, leaving the regulator and choke assemblies in place as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

By way of explaining the statement that the tool 41A was one step ahead of the lower stem 41, attention is directed to the face that the lands "As: of the tool are engaged under the lugs 44 to begin with, while the lands 41a of the stem 41 will not become engaged under the lugs 6 as in Fig. 10 until after the lowering and raising operation has been completed as above described. While the lower stem 41 is being rotated 90 degrees to engage the lands 41c under the lugs l, the tool "A is completing its 90 degree turn in the same manner, which places the slots 4IAd in registration with the lugs 44.

The foregoing operation will be understood clearly if it is borne in mind that the lower catching and releasing stem engages its lands 41c under the lugs 6 when the stem is let down and then raised the first time, and that this engagement is broken the second time the stem is let down and raised, because the lugs 6 and the slots 41d then are brought into registration by theguides.

It should be observed that the sloping ends 410 and 41c of the lower stem are inclined in opposite directions from each other and that the same is true of the corresponding sloping ends "Ac and 4'IAc' of the tool. This is necessary in order for these sloping ends to produce rotation in the same direction, because the upper of these sloping ends are urged to rotate the tool or stem by a downward-thrust upon the guide lugs 5 and 45, respectively. and the lower of these sloping ends are urged to rotate the tool or stem by an upward thrust upon the respective lugs 5 and 45.

The slots 41a and "Ad of the stem and tool 41 and 41A are shown spaced 90 degrees apart. The slots 41a and 4'IAa' of these members are shown similarly spaced. The lands 41c and "Ac are shown spaced 180 degrees apart. It, therefore, follows that the lugs 6 and lands 416 of the lower stem "will become engaged the first time the member 4'! is lowered, as stated, and then raised; and that the slots 41d will register with the lugs 6 the second time the member 41 is lowered and raised. It also follows that the lugs 44 will register with'the slots "Ad of the tool after the spring 4| has been compressed and the tool raised for withdrawal from the well.

While I have shown catching and releasing members having the lugs secured within the shells, it is apparent that the lugs may be placed on the tool and stem and the lands, sloping ends, and slots transferred to the shells; tools formed in either manner being considered full equivalents of tools formed in the other manner.

Removing the pressure regulator and chokeassembly To remove the regulator and choke assembly, run the upper catching and releasing tool "A back into the tubing with the weight I6 resting upon the cable attachment I3 as in Fig. 8. The pointed lower end 4'IAg of the tool and the bevel 42a of the shell will guide the tool 41A into the shell 42. The weight I6 will compress the iprings 8 and 4| andeach of the members 41 and 41A, actin independently of each other, will be rotated 90 degrees by the action of lands, slots, and lugs in a manner heretofore explained. In this operation, the lower stem 41 will release the lugs 6 through the slota41d while the upper tool "A will engage the lands 41Ae under the lugs 44. The regulator and choke assembly then may be withdrawn.

Removing the anchoring shell To remove the anchoring shell assembly, atach the tool 41A to the cable attachment I 3 as in Fig. 11 with the latching shell I2A in place about the member I3. While thiafishing-out assembly is bein lowered, the shoulder I2Ab will engage upon t e upper enlargement "Ah of the tool 41A,

bu when this assembly reaches the anchoring s ell assembly, the latching shell I2A, having the mud and fluid vent holes I2Ac, will land upon the upper extensions Id of the fingers I. The weight I6 is then dropped down the well along the cable onto the latching shell, and will force the latch shoulder IZAa. to engage under the shoulders lo of the fingers slightly before the lands 41Ab engage upon the lugs 6. At the same time, the per ends of the fingers will be forced inward, thus forcing the dogs Ia from their expanded position within the space c between the tubing ends (1 and e. Before the latched engagement be-,

- tween the fingers I and the shell IZA is formed,

between the tubing ends d and e the anchoring shell assembly might be .forced downward withcable attachment I3, continues downward so that the full force of the weight I6 acts upon the shell 12A to force the finger extensions Id inward. When the dogs la have been disengaged, the anchoring shell may be withdrawnby the engagement of the lands 4IAe under the lugs. 6.

If the weightv I6 should not be sufilcient to free the dogs Ia from between the tubing ends, another similar weight may be dropped over the cable to cause such engagement, or the tool 41A may be raised sufliciently to engage the lands 41Ae under the. lugs 6 and the cable and member 41A again lowered and raised; whereupon the fishing-out assembly may 'be withdrawn and again lowered with a heavier weight that will and casing of wells wherever the required fluid exert enough force upon the shell I2A to free the.

dogs.

The choke The bottom hole choke, like the pressure-regulator and choke assembly in Figs.-8, 9, and,10 may be anchored in the tubing at any joint thereof, as is illustrated in Figs. 27 through 30.

The choke in combination with the pressureregulator may consist of the choke nipple 46 having the constricted choke passage 46a in Figs. 9 and 10, this nipple being closely slidable within the U cups II and II. The choke alone closely slidable within the portion 3e of the anchoring shell 3 and the U cups II and I I', may be a short nipple 49 having its lower end threadedly joined to the stem 47 and its upper end similarly joined to the finned bushing 48 which latter member. having guide fins 48a slidable within the tubing, is threadedly connected into the pa sage 477 through the lower stem 47 in order that the abrasive action of sand and the like in the well fiuid will abrade it rather than the" stem 51 which is more expensive to manufacture.

In setting the choke. the same anchoring shell parts I to II, inclusive, are employed in the same manner as for setting the regulator and choke as embly.

Fi s. 27, 28 and illustrate the choke just landed in the well. The catching and releasing tool 41A has its lands 41Ae engaged upon the depressed slide ring 43. The lower catching and releasing stem 41, likewise, has its lands 4Ie enset withthe lands 4l e engaged under the lugs 6. The lower spring 8 by expanding .accom plishes this engagement.

Upon the return trip of the tool "A, it is apparent that it will engage its lands 4'IAe under the upper lugs 44; while the lower stem 41 will be released ,as was explained for the similar operation with regard to the regulator and choke assembly. I

It is apparent also, that the an'choring shell assembly for the choke may be removed from the tubing in: the same manner as was explained for removing the similar shell employed for anchoring the regulator and choke assembly..

Manifestly, the regulator alone may be removably secured within the anchoring shell assembly in the same manner as has been described for the choke alone, although this invention contemplates the primary use of the regulator and choke to be as a unit.

Those skilled in the art will know that the rubber sleeve I0 appearing in Figs. 2, 10, and 30 can be employed as a packer between the tubing pressure is available to expand it into sealing engagement with the casing.

Where introductory expressions and functional statements are employed in the claims to follow,

it will be understood that such expressions and statements relate to the best presently known mode of applying the invention, and are not to be regarded as limitations upon the claims, which contemplate that the invention will beapplied to other and various uses. I claim:

1. An anchoring tubular shell adapted to be received in tubular members such ,as well casings, well liners, and well tubings, said shell having rockable fingers with dogs thereon adapted to releasably engage between the adjacent ends of the tubing in a joint of said tubular members for anchoring the shell therein, said fingers being mounted on one end of and outside the shell and extending in part beyond the end of the shell and in part lying alongside of the shell. 2. An anchoring shell adapted to be received in tubular members such as well casings, well liners, and well tubings, said shell having rockable fingers with. dogs thereon adapted to releasably engage between the adjacent ends of the tubing in a. joint of said tubular members for anchoring the shell therein; and a packer member on said shell, said packer being adapted to cut off-the flow of fluid therearound.

3. An anchoring shell adapted to be received in well casings, well liners, and well tubings, said shell having a passage through the same from gaged upon the otherdepressed spring rider ring I.

The tool 41A is one step ahead of the lower stem 41, as in the similar process of setting the regulator and choke assembly, which operation I was explained in connection with Fig. 8. This is true because while going in and just before the choke was landed, the tool 41A had its lands.

41Ae engaged under the lugs 44; whereas, the similar lands 4'Ie of the lower stem will become engaged under the lower lugs 6 when the cable vis raised and weight I6 is lifted; The tool 41A then may be withdrawn, leaving the choke 49 end to end and having fingers, rockably secured between the adjacent ends of the tubing in any I one of the joints of said casings, liners, and tubings for'anchoring the shell therein; a yieldable sleeve on said shell, said sleeve being adapted to be expanded into sealing engagement with a portion of'said tubing to cut off the flow o1 fluid between said anchoring shell and the tubing; and lugs in said shell, said lugs being adapted to be reieasably engaged by a catching and releasing member.

5. An anchoring shell adapted to be anchored in well casings, well liners, and well tubings, said shell having fingers rockably secured thereon; dogs on said fingers; a spring normally urging said fingers to expand so as to engage said dogs between the adjacent' ends of the tubing in any one ofihe joints of said casings, liners, and tubings for anchoring the shell therein; a yieldable sleeve on said shell. said sleeve being adapted to be expanded into sealing engagement with a portion of said tubing to cut oil the flow of fiuid between said anchoring shell and the tubing;

tachment upon a cable; a shell secured upon said attachment, said shell being adapted to releasably engage an anchoring shell assembly; a second shell slidable over said first shell and adapt ed to disengage said first shell from said assembly; and a weight slidable over said cable, said weight being adapted to be dropped from the top of the well and to impact said second shell to disengage said first shell from said assembly.

7. A placing tool for positioning an anchoring shell assembly withina well tube, comprising: an attachment upon a cable to be lowered into the well, said attachment including a downwardly projecting shell adapted to engage yieldable latching means on said assembly; a second shell slidable on said attachment and enclosing said first shell and adapted to engage said anchoring shell for disengaging it from said first shell; and a weight slidable over said cable and adapted to be dropped to impact said second shell to cause it to disengage said first shell from the anchoring assembly.

8. A removing tool for disconnecting an anchoring shell assembly from a well casing or tube, comprising; an attaching member secured to a cable to be lowered into the well; a shell vertically slidable for a limited distance upon said member and having a lower extension adapted to engage over locking fingers on said assembly to unlock the same from the casing or tube and to become engaged'with portions of said fingers.

' anchoring shell to insure the lifting engagement of said slidable shell with said fingers.

9. A removing tool for disconnecting an anchoring shell assembly from a well tube and removing it from the well, said tool comprising: a cable with an attaching member secured to the same; a'"disconnecting and assembly engaging member adapted to slide for a limited distance on said attaching member; and a weight slidable oversaid cable and adapted to be dropped from the top of, the well to impact said disconnecting and engaging member and force it to disconnect said anchoring assembly from the well tube and form a lifting engagement with the assembly for withdrawing the same from the well.

- ALEXANDER BOYN'ION. 

